OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 08: Cody Ross #7 of the Oakland Athletics hits and rbi single scoring Tyler Ladendorf #25 against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the third inning at O.co Coliseum on April 8, 2015 in Oakland, California. less

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 08: Cody Ross #7 of the Oakland Athletics hits and rbi single scoring Tyler Ladendorf #25 against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the third inning at O.co Coliseum on April 8, 2015 in ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

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Oakland Athletics' Craig Gentry (3), Billy Butler (16) and Cody Ross (7) meet at the plate after being in driven in with a bases-loaded double from Mark Canha during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. less

Oakland Athletics' Craig Gentry (3), Billy Butler (16) and Cody Ross (7) meet at the plate after being in driven in with a bases-loaded double from Mark Canha during the third inning of a baseball game against ... more

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press

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Oakland Athletics' Cody Ross, left, shakes hands with first base coach Tye Waller after Ross drove in a run with a single against the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. less

Oakland Athletics' Cody Ross, left, shakes hands with first base coach Tye Waller after Ross drove in a run with a single against the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 8, ... more

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press

Cody Ross excited to join A’s

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Cody Rosswelcomed a return to the Bay Area. The MVP of the 2010 National League Championship Series in the Giants’ first of three title runs, Ross signed with the A’s on Wednesday after being released over the weekend by the Diamondbacks.

“I love this area,” Ross said. “It definitely holds a huge spot in my heart. I’ve always loved coming back to this area, going to San Francisco to play, playing here (in Oakland), even though the fans would get on me all the time. That’s a good sign. It shows how much passion they have.”

Ross knows well how the Coliseum plays: “It’s a tough outfield. It’s a lot like San Francisco’s with the wind. You don’t know which way the ball’s going to blow.”

What’s different since Ross, 34, previously made his baseball home in the Bay Area?

“I’m a little older. More mature. I’ve logged a few innings between then and now,” he said. “I just know what’s important now in this game. Back then, it was important to win. It was important to go out and compete and try to win a World Series, but at the same time, as a player, you’re trying to fight to stay and prove yourself to get a contract and stuff like that.

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“Then you get a little older, and the main focus is on winning and getting back into the playoffs. It’s definitely something that’s been burning in me for a while.”

Ross stayed in San Francisco through 2011. He had a big 2012 in Boston (22 homers, 81 RBIs), netting him a three-year, $26 million contract in Arizona, but a dislocated hip sidetracked his career. The Diamondbacks are paying all of his $9.5 million salary except the prorated portion of the big-league minimum of $507,500, paid by the A’s.

“I couldn’t be any more excited,” Ross said. “I know how much fun this team has had in the past and how successful they’ve been. That had a lot to do with the decision I made.”

Ross said a few teams had interest. The Giants? Ross said a “little bit.”

Burns demoted: To create a spot for Ross, outfielder Billy Burnswas optioned to Triple-A Nashville and said, “I’m at peace with it.” He hit .373 in spring training and was going to be demoted when Josh Reddickreturns from the disabled list Saturday.

To make room on the 40-man roster, minor-league outfielder Alex Hassanwas designated for assignment.

Very Kool: After the final pitch, Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” boomed from the Coliseum speakers. After skipping it after the season-opening win, the A’s said they wanted to move on from the song, an A’s tradition, but must have been prompted to revert.

— John Shea

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